System and method for processing textile fibers

ABSTRACT

In processing textile fibers a sliver of fibers is continuously delivered toan apparatus for receiving the sliver, cutting the sliver into predetermined lengths and storing these lengths, and providing the predetermined lengths of sliver to a next step in a process. A distribution device receives a longitudinally advancing sliver and delivers it to a first of a plurality of conveyor devices which delivers the advancing sliver to an associated storage container. After a predetermined length of the advancing sliver is stored in the container, the sliver is severed and the distribution device delivers the advancing sliver to another conveyor device for storing the advancing sliver in another storage container. The length of sliver stored in the first container is removed from the first container by the first conveyor device and is provided for delivery to a next step in the process. The length of sliver removed from a storage container is longitudinally advanced so that an end of the length of sliver at which it was severed from the advancing sliver is a leading end of the length of strand.

tlnited States Patent ifonno et al.

1 Feb. 4, 1975 [75] Inventors: Kazue Konno, Odawara; Yoshiji Kamekawa, Tokyo, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nakagawa Seisakujo, Mil-ken, Japan 22 Filed: Feb. 27, 1973 [21] Appl.No.:336,l99

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 3, 1972 Japan 47-21993 [52] US. Cl 83/27, 83/107, 83/167, 83/349, 83/370, 226/110 [51] Int. Cl 326d 7/06 [58] Field of Search 226/11, 49, 110, 172;

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Sc'hacher Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT In processing textile fibers a sliver of fibers is continuously delivered toan apparatus for receiving the sliver, cutting the sliver into predetermined lengths and storing these lengths, and providing the predetermined lengths of sliver to a next step in a process. A distribution device receives a longitudinally advancing sliver and delivers it to a first of a plurality of conveyor devices which delivers the advancing sliver to an associated storage container. After a predetermined length of the advancing sliver is stored in the container, the sliver is severed and the distribution device delivers the advancing sliver to another conveyor device for storing the advancing sliver in another storage container. The length of sliver stored in the first container is removed from the first container by the first conveyor device and is provided for delivery to a next step inthe process. The length of sliver removed from a storage container is longitudinally advanced so that an end of the length of sliver at which it was severed from the advancing sliver is a leading end of the length of strand.

16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENIED 3. 863 ,532

' sum 30F s PATENTEDFEB 41915 3,863,532

SHEET 10F 6 PATENTEDFEB' 4mm SHEET 6 OF 6 FIGJZ SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING TEXTILE FIBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to method and apparatus for preparing uniform fibrous material in spinning, and more particularly to improve the quality of fibrous material by reversing a leading end of strands of fibrous material continuously and automatically during passage of the strands from one process to another.

In spinning, for instance, a combing machine is used which combs strands or slivers, as is well known, to remove short fibers of less than regulated length and foreign substances or the like, thereby smoothly drafting and paralleling fibers so generation of nep is prevented. In this case, when such a machine is used as to pull out fibers greater than regulated length from fiber groups, there is a tendency in general that leading end portions of each fiber forming the sliver will align unevenly or laterally. If this leading end of the sliver is supplied to a drafting operation irregularities such as drafting flows and the like are apt to occur. Such irregularities adversely influence subsequent operations and causes inferior quality and appearance of products. Such a phenomenon is prevalent in natural long fiber.

Usually, to prevent the generation of such irregularities, the leading end of a sliver fed from a combining machine is not supplied to the next processing machine or device, but the sliver is first received in a can and the can is carried to a next processing machine. The stored sliver is then removed from the can and its trailing end is supplied to a next processing machine. In this method, irregularities may be eliminated, however, there is a disadvantage that a continuous operation cannot be effected. Further, many people are necessary to move and handle the cans and some space is also necessary to store them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved system, wherein the direction of progress of fibrous material is reversed as the fibrous material is transferred from one process to the next so that a novel and improved fibrous material, which is able to connect automatically and continuously one process with a next process, may be obtained in spinning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a desirable method for easy and economical manufacturing of goods, which can make fiber products, such as sliver, top, yarn, textile fabrics, knitted goods and the like without any irregularity.

Said method comprises a process wherein a strand of sliver of fibrous material which is continuously fed from a first process, is continuously distributed to a first container until a preselected length is stored therein. The strand is then severed and distributed to a second container. The strand stored in the first container is removed and is provided to a second process in a direction so that a trailing end of the strand is advanced first to become a leading end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus used for the method.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is arranged between one processing machine for treating fibrous material and a next processing machine, thus smoothly matching working conditions of both processing machines.

A still further object of the invention is to provide various devices and components which continuously reverse the direction of advance of sliver in connection with the above objects.

The apparatus comprises a plurality of conveying meanswhich receive and moves the fibrous material. Each conveying means has a pair of belt conveyors in cluding adjacent elements for advancing a sliver of fibrous material and a reversing means to revers the direction of progress of said belt conveyor so as to feed the sliver of fibrous material for storing thereof and to remove the stored material. There is a distributing means for supplying a sliver of fibrous material from one processing machine or device to the conveying means. The distributing means delivers the sliver of fibrous material to one of the plural conveying means ready to receive the material. For such a purpose, the distributing means changes its position and, during the position change, severs the sliver of fibrous material into regulated unit length in cooperation with said conveying means which holds the fibrous material.

Various further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description given below, taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example a preferred embodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspecctive view of an apparatus according to this invention, wherein parts of a floor and of the device are cut away.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view, showing the path of the strands.

FIG. 3 is a diagramatic perspective view of the apparatus according to this invention, wherein the frame and forwarding conveyor are omitted and the apparatus is disassembled.

FIG. 4 shows an operation system of the apparatus according to this invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a feeder for distributing a sliver to the conveying means, seen from back of the apparatus as illustrated in of FIG. 1 with the frame, remove enlarged and a part thereof omitted.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view, showing a variation of the feeder illustrated in FIG. 5A, which is enlarged and a part thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view, showing another variation of the feeder, which is enlarged and a part thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, showing driving rollers for the belt conveyor of the feeder of FIG. 5A, which is enlarged and a part thereof is cut away.

FIG. 7 is a plan view, showing driving roller for the conveying means according to this invention, which is enlarged and a part thereof is cut away and omitted.

FIg. 8 is a perspective view ofa ratchet clutch for positioning the feeder according to this invention, which is enlarged and a part thereof is cut out.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of the apparatus according to this invention and of other machines for processing fibrous material.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing another arrangement of the apparatus according to this invention with other machines for processing fibrous material.

. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing still other arrangement of the apparatus according to this invention with other machines for processing fibrous material.

FIG. 12 is an electric circuit diagram showing a control system of the apparatus according to this invention. FIG. 13 is an electric circuit diagram for a reversible motor used in this invention and a motor for a combing machine connected therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus of this invention is described for the case when it is applied between a combing machine and a gilling machine, as follows.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sliver or strand is forwarded from a combing machine 21, the greater part of which is not shown, and passed through a guide gate 22 (FIG. 1) provided on the upper part of a frame 23 to reach a feeder 24. The sliver or strand 20 is put received between a pair of belt conveyors 25a and 25b of the feeder and advanced by them to belt conveyors 27a and 28a of a conveying means 26a on the right and is stored in a can 31a of a retaining means on the right.

On the other hand a sliver which was retained in a can 31b on the left after a previous operation is removed therefromand advanced between belt conveyers 27b, and 28b of a conveying means 26b on the left and is passed through a guide 32 and supplied to a conveyor 33 which is directed toward a next process. In this example the strand 20 is forwarded to the gilling machine (not shown) used to carry out the next process. When the sliver in the can 31b is completely removed, the feeder 24 is changed over from the righthand side to the left-hand side shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2. As the feeder 24 changes from the right-hand to the left-hand position the sliver guided by the conveying means 26a is severed between the lower end of feeder 24 and the conveying means 26a while the sliver is held by the feeder and the conveying means 26a.

The direction of rotation of each conveying means is changed reversed and the sliver fed into the can 31a is pulled out by the conveying means 26a with its severed end as a leading end and is forwarded to the guide 32. The sliver, which is fed by the feeder positioned at the left-hand side, is received by the conveying means 26b and is conveyed to and retained in the can 31b. Similarly, in the next step, the feeder is changed over from the left-hand side to the right-hand side to return the first state. These above operations are repeated and the sliver is continuously supplied to the gilling machine.

The following is a further detailed explanation of the apparatus according to this invention.

Referring especially to FIG. 5A, the belt conveyors 25a, 25b of the feeder have conveyor frames 34a, 34b, rollers 35a, 36a, 35b, 36b, and belts 37 which are made of rubber sheets, canvas or wire nettings and other suitable material. The belt conveyors 25a, 25b are secured together by a connecting means 38 (FIG. 1), which is bridged between the conveyor frames. In the drawing, shafts of upper rollers 35a and 35b are rotatably supported by the frame 23 and lower rollers 36a and 36b are free to rotate.

An arm 41 (also refer to FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C) connected with a change over means of the feeder, which will be mentioned later, has a slot 42, with which a pin 43 is engaged. The pin is fitted in a slot 44 in a braket 45 fixed on one of the conveyor frames. The arm 41 moves the feeder 24, by means of the pin 43 between a position adjacent the conveying means 26a and a position adjacent the conveying means 26b. As the feeder 24 changes position between the two conveying means its motion can be described as oscillatory like a pendulum. A guide rod 46 is to a side of the conveyor frames opposite the arm 41 (also refer to FIG. 1). Its upper end is pivotally attached to the connecting means 38 and its lower end is provided with a slot 47, in which a pin 48 fixed to the frame 23 is loosely fitted.

A spring 49 which is attached between the frame 23 and the guide rod 46 maintains the feeder positioned adjacent the respective conveying means to which it has been moved.

In FIG. 8, a ratchet clutch 51 is shown, which operates the arm 41 of the feeder. A shaft 52, which is attached to the frame 23 by means of a bearing 53, is provided with the arm 41 on one end and a plate 54 on another end. The arm 41 and plate 54 are located on opposite sides of the bearing. A sleeeve 55 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 52 and provided with a sprocket 57 and two ratchet wheels 56a and 56b, having teeth inclined in opposite directions. Pawls 58a, 58b are rotatably attached to the plate 54 by pins 61 and their head are biased to engage ratchet wheel 56a, 56b by springs 62. When the sprocket 57 rotates clockwise, the pawl 58a engages with the ratchet wheel 56a and the arm 41 is rotated together therewith through the plate 54 and the shaft 52, thus moving the feeder as mentioned above. When a tail 63a of said pawl strikes on a pin 64a mounted to said frame 23, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 56a and compresses the spring 62. At this time, the pawl 58b does not engage with the ratchet wheel 56b. When the sprocket 57 rotates counterclockwise, the pawl 58b engages the ratchet wheel 56b thus rotating the arm 41 and moving the feeder to an opposite position.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, it is shown that said conveying means 26a, and 26b are located lower than the feeder and adjacent the feeder when it is at either of two position extremes so that they may receive the sliver from the distributing means.

First, in FIG. 2, the conveying means 26a on the right-hand side will be explained. The belt conveyor 27a comprises rollers 65a, 66a and 67a which are arranged roughly in L shape, and the belt conveyor 28a comprises rollers 68a and 69a. Shafts for the five rollers are supported by a pair of plate members 71a and 72a (FIG. 1) which are mounted to the frame 23. The shafts for the rollers 67a, 69a have gears 73a, 74a and both of said belt conveyors are synchronized with each other to travel in the same direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, the shaft of the roller 65a is provided on both ends with a magnetic clutch 75a having a sprocket 76a on its driving side and a magnetic clutch 77a having a sprocket 78a on its driving side. The magnetic clutches are set by energizing of respective magnetic coils 79a, 80a and the rotation of each sprocket is transmitted to the roller 65a. The conveying means 26b on the left-hand side corresponding to the conveying means 26a on the right-hand side is constructed the same as conveying means 26b. In FIG. 2 parts identified by numbers having alphabetical sign b on the left corresponds to parts identified by alphabetical sign a on the right. The mechanism for reversing the direction of advance of the sliver by means of the conveying means will be described hereinbelow.

Cans 31a, 31b are respectively arranged below the rollers 67a, 67b of the conveying means. If these cans are arranged lower, the conveying means may be disposed horizontally or sloping downwardly toward the cans. The cans may be=mounted and turned on a conventional turn table additionally provided and/or another mechanism may be further provided, by means of which cans are provided to receive the advancing sliver.

A guide means is provided below said conveying means. The guide 32 is formed practically Y-shaped with belt conveyors 84a and 84b comprising a group of rollers 81a, 82a and 83a and another group of rollers 81b, 32b and 83b, which are supported by the frame 23. Upper rollers 81a, 81b are respectively, opposite the rollers 65a, 65b of the conveying means, and shafts for lower rollers 83a, 83b are provided with gears 85a, 85b, thus both of the belt conveyors are always downwardly synchronizing and travelling in the same direction.

The guide means may be made as a chute practically Y-shaped by providing a pair of plate members, or they may be omitted according to circumstances.

Above mentioned respective operating devices will be driven from a state shown in FIG. 2 according to the following manner.

Referring to FIG. 6, the rollers 35a, 35b of said feeder have on their shafts gears 86a, 86b, one-way clutches 87a, 87b and sprockets 88a, 88b attached on the drive side of the one-way clutches. The one-way clutches are so arranged that their directions of engagemerit and disengagement are mutually reversed. In the one-way clutches, as in case of conventional ones, when the sprockets are rotated in a first direction, outer races 91a, 91b and inner races 92a, 92b are frictionally connected through sprages 93a, 93b, thus transmitting the rotation ofthe sprockets to the rollers. When the sprockets are rotated in reverse direction, the frictional connection between the outer races and the inner races is released, so that the rotation of said sprockets will not be transmitted to said rollers. Therefore, when said two sprockets are rotated in the same direction, one of said one-way clutches will transmit the rotation, while the other will not transmit the rotation.

In reference to FIG. 3 and Flg. 4, said sprockets 88a, 88b of the feeder are rotated by a chain 102 driven by a sprocket 101 mounted on driving shaft 98. Shaft 98 is driven by a reversible magnetic motor 94-, through a variable diameter pulley 95, a pulley 96 and a reduction gear 97. The chain 102 rotates in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3, so that the sprocket 88b rotates the roller 35b through the one-way clutch 87b, and another roller 35a is driven by the gears 86a and 86b to deliver the'sliver to the conveying means 26a.

In the conveying means 26a of the right-hand side, the magnetic clutch 75a is engaged and the chain 102 rotates the roller 65a through said magnetic clutch 75a from the sprocket 76a which engages with said chain 102, thus the sliver is stored in the can 31a. At this time, the other magnetic clutch 77a on the shaft of the roller 65a is disengaged and the sprocket 78a is running idle.

While, in the conveying means 26b on the left-hand side, one magnetic clutch 75b is disengaged and other magnetic clutch 77b is engaged. The roller 65b is driven through a sprocket Illb on the shaft of the roller 81b of the guide. a chain 112, the sprocket 78b and the magnetic clutch 77b. Therefore, as mentioned above, the conveying means 26b :removes the sliver retained in the can 31b. The shaft of roller 83b of the guide is driven by a driving means (not shown). which is driving a gilling machine used in the next process, through a sprocket 113, a chain. I14 and a sprocket I I5.

Between both belt conveyors 84a, 84b of the guide, there is provided a photoelectric sensor system having a projector 116 and a sensor I17. When all of the sliver within the can 31b is pulled out, no sliver passes through the section where the photoelectric sensor is located so the light of the projector is sensed by the sensor to detect that the can became empty and a detecting signal is developed by the sensor. Said detecting signal causes the following operations.

The reversible magnet motor is switched to rotate in a reverse direction and the chain 102 is also driven to rotate reversely. By disengaging the magnetic clutch a, the conveying means 26a is stopped, while in the conveying means 26b on the left-hand side, the magnetic clutch 75b is engaged and the magnetic clutch 77b is disengaged, thus the belt conveyor 27b is driven by the chain 102 towards the can 31b.

In both one-way clutches of the feeder 24, one clutch 87b is releasedand the other clutch 87b is set, so that the sliver continues to be fed as before.

The sprocket 57 of the ratchet clutch SI is also reversely rotated by a sprocket I18 and a chain 119 which are mounted on the driving shaft 98 of the reduction gear 97, thus the pawl 58b engages with the ratchet wheel 56b. According to the ratio difference of between the sprocket 57 of the ratchet clutch and the sprocket 118 of the driving shaft of reduction gear 97, the arm 41 is turned to the left with a speed greater than the speed at which the feeder 24 feeds the sliver, thus the feeder is positioned adjacent the conveying means 26b on the left side. The pawl 58b is disengaged by its tail 63b striking against the pin 64b, thus stopping the rotation of said arm.

At this time, the sliver is held by the stopped conveying means 26a and is sandwiched by the feeder, so that it will be severed between the lower end of the feeder and the conveying means; Namely, the sliver is easily severed by the slip between fibers which form the sliver. Thus, the sliver begins to be fed to the conveying means 26b and is received with its apron. Then it is sandwiched between the belt conveyors and advanced to be stored within empty can 31b.

The conveying means 26a which is stopped during the above operation, is driven by the roller 65a through a sprocket lllla on the shaft of guide roller 81a, a chain 112, the sprocket 78a and the magnetic clutch 77a, after the magnetic clutch 77a is set. The sliver retained in the can 31a is provided to the gilling machine of a next process by advancing the portion of the sliver held by the conveying means 26a through the guide 32. When the photoelectric sensor detects that all of the sliver is pulled out from the can 31a, the direction of rotation of the reversible motor 94 is reversed and the apparatus returns to an original state according to said explanation. After this the above described operations are continuously repeated.

Above mentioned, reversing a direction of rotation of the reversible motor and other changes in the operation of the apparatus may be controlled not only by said photoelectric sensor but by measuring a quantity of sliver within the can or by a time signal or by means of a timer and the like.

in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, there is shown an example of an electric circuit diagram, wherein each operating portion is controlled by signals from both of said photoelectric sensor and timer in connection with the combining machine. Further, in illustrating contacts, a white circle shows a contact in a make condition and a block circle shows a contact in a break condition.

When main switch 201 is on, the magnetic clutch 77b is operative and connects the conveying means 26b to the guide 32. Then the sliver retained within the can 31b during a previous operation is fed to the conveyor 33 for delivery to the gilling machine. In the next place, when a push button switch 202 for starting up is closed, magnetic switches 210, 220 are excited, thus a motor 203 for a combing machine and the reversible motor 94 are simultaneously driven. And a holding circuit of both of the motors is completed by a contact 211 of the magnetic switch 210 and both of the motors operate continuously. At the same time, a contact 221 of the magnetic switch 220 is closed and the magnetic clutch 75a is excited, thus the conveying means 26a conveys the sliver to the can 31a.

The quantity of sliver fed to said can 31a is measured by integrating the time the combing machine is operating by a integrating timer 230. When the timer senses a predetermined set time, an electrical signal is developed for reversing a direction of advance the sliver and changing over the feeder. The signal from the integrating timer 230 relates to the sliver which is supplied from a can to a next processing machine. Reversed of the operation of the device is considered for the follow- ,ing two cases. One of the cases is that an entire length of sliver is removed from the can 31b and provided to a next process before a time-up signal is provided by the integrating timer 230. Another of the cases is that a time-up signal is provided by the integrating timer, while the sliver still remains within the can 31b.

First, when the sliver is removed from the can 31b before the signal is developed by the integrating timer the sliver which passed through the guide 32 is gone, and this condition is detected by a photoelectric sensor 240. In response to an electrical signal of the photoelectric sensor, a contact 241 is operated to excite a relay 250, which operates contacts 251, 252 to hold said electrical motor of the combing machine and reversible motor 94 in operation, thus the sliver is retained in the can 31a until the set time of the timer 230 is over.

After predetermined time of integrating timer 230 is over, a contact 231 is operated to excite a relay 260 and close a contact 261, thus a relay 280 is energized through a timer 270. And a contact 262 of the relay 260 is operated to excite a return coil 235, a latching relay 290 and a relay 300. These excitations cause the following operations.

The return coil 235 returns the integrating timer 230 to an initial or zero condition in preparation for a next operation. The latching relay 290 connects its contact 291 to excite a relay 310, which closes a contact 311 to operate a magnetic switch 320, thus reversing the direction of rotation of the reversible motor 94. And the relay 310 switches over a contact 312 to disconnect the magnetic clutch 77b and to connect the clutch 77a. The magnetic clutch 75a is disconnected because the contact 221 of the magnetic switch 220 is disconnected. A contact 301 is disconnected by the relay 300 and the electric current to the magnetic clutch 77b, 77a is cut off, thus the rotation of the conveying means 26b is stopped. At this time, the reversible motor 94 is reversed and the feeder 24 is changed over, thus the sliver from the combing machine begins to be retained within the can 31b. The excited timer 270 disengages the Contact 271 after a regulated short time, so that the excitation of the relay 280 is ended. The relay 280 disconnects its contact 281, as well as the release of relay 260 return coil 235, latching relay 290, relay 300 and timer 270. Accordingly, the contact 301 is connected and the magnetic clutch 77a is energized so that the conveying means 260 supplies the sliver from can 31a to the gilling machine. Thus, a half cycle of the operation of the apparatus is completed. Note that, the time required to complete the half cycle may be controlled by the timer 270.

Next, the case that a signal is developed from the integrating timer 230, while the sliver still remains within the can 31b is explained. The contact 231 is connected at the termination of the period for which the integrating timer 230 excites the relay 280 and its contact 281 is operated to complete a self-holding circuit. Then the relay 280 switches over a contact 282, thus stopping the combing motor 203 and the reversible motor 94, while the sliver remainded within the can 31b is completely removed by conveying means 26b and is supplied to the conveyor 33.

When the whole sliver is pulled out, it is detected by the photoelectric sensor 240, by which the relay 250 is excited to operate the contact 251 and the relay 260, the timer 270, the return coil 235, the ratching relay 290, the relay 300. Every part will operate as follows.

By the excitation of the ratching relay 290 the contact 291 is connected and the relay 310 is excited. in response to the excitation of the relay 310 the contacts 311, 312 are switched over, and the reversible motor 94 is turned over. At the same time, the magnetic clutch 77b is disconnected and the magnetic clutch 77a is connected. On the other hand, due to excitation ofthe switch 320, the contact 321 is connected and the magnetic clutch b is connected. By the connection of a contact 272 of the timer 270, the combing motor 203 and the reversible motor 94 are driven and feed the sliver to the can 31b. The excitation of the relay 280 is terminated by the time-up electrical signal of the timer 270, so that the contacts 281 and 282 return to the deenergized condition. On the other hand, the contact 301 is connected and the sliver is pulled out from another can 31a. The photoelectric sensor 240 disconnects the contact 241, since the light of the projector is interrupted by the sliver. Accordingly, the excitation of the relay 250 is terminated and the contacts 251, 252 return.

Thereafter, the apparatus will continue to operate as described above.

In Flg. 58, a variation of feeder 24 is shown wherein corresponding members to those of P16. 5A are denoted by the same reference numbers, as is the case with FIG. SC to be described below. This embodiment of the feeder is made of two plate-like guide members 131a, l31b arranged in parallel instead of belt conveyors, and change over operation of this feeder is effected similarly by means of the ratchet clultch 51 and the arm 41. Under the plate members; cutters 132 may be provided so as to facilitate the severance of the sliver.

In FIG. C another embodiment of the feeder is shown. The sliver passes through supply rollers 141, which are driven by the combing machine 21, and reaches to a ridge portion 142 of body 143 which is formed into a wedge-like shape by two chute 144a, 14411 and is located between both conveying means. The sliver slides down the chute and is delivered to the corresponding conveying means by the chute through rollers 145a, which are located a lower end or intermediate portion of the chute and driven synchronously to match the feed speed of the sliver. When the sliver is fed to another conveying means, the arm 41 rotates and a bar 147 which spans between arms 146 pivoted on the main body 143, moves beyond the ridge portion 142 to the other side. Since the length of sliver is limited between the supply rollers 141 and the rollers 145a, the sliver is severed on the supply rollers side by the movement of said bar 147 and its severed end is pushed out on another chute 144b by the bar. Said sliver slides on the chute to enter the rollers 145b and is delivered to another conveying means. Although the rollers 145a, 145k are provided so as to assure the severance of sliver, they may be omitted. When the space between the lower edge 148 of the bar 147 and the ridge portion 142 is made narrower and/or the lower edge 148 is a knife edge, the sliver is severed more easily. When the bar is made wide, it is sure to press the severed end of the sliver to the other chute after sever ance.

In FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, there are shown arrangements of apparatus, in which fibrous material is continuously supplied from a certain processing machine to next processing machine in a manner so that a leading end of the fibrous material is reversed during the process.

In FIG. 9, a suitable numbers, for instance 7 to 12 sets of combing machine 151 are each provided with an apparatus 152 according to this invention and are connected with a gilling machine 153 by means of a conveyor 154. The sliver 155 supplied by the combing machines 151 is received by apparatus 152. Apparatus 152 provides predetermined lengths of sliver to conveyor 154 in a direction so that a trailing end of sliver provided by combing machines 151 is a leading end of the sliver provided by apparatus 152.

In FIG. 10, the sliver 161 supplied from the gilling machine 162 or carding machine a previous process is divided and fed to a plurality of apparatus 163 according to the present invention arranged in parellel in suitable number, and after being reversed, they are gathered again and supplied to a gilling machine 164 of next process.

In FIG. 11, the slivers 171 supplied from combing machine 172 arranged in parallel in suitable numbers are gathered and continuously reversed in this device 173, thus being fed out to a gilling machine 174 of a next process.

The present invention is not to be limited to the above examples but can be modified within the scope of the spirit of the invention as indicated in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material comprising:

a. providing a sliver of fibrous material and a plurality of containers;

b. advancing said sliver offibrous material in a longitudinal direction thereof;

III

e. delivering a length of said advancing sliver to one of said plurality of containers;

d. severing said sliver after said length of sliver has been delivered to said one container and retaining an end of said severed length of sliver, said retained end being a trailing end of said severed length of sliver;

e. delivering another length of said advancing sliver to another of said plurality of containers and simultaneously removing said severed length of sliver from said one container by advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained trailing end is a leading end thereof;

severing said sliver after said another length of sliver has been delivered tosaid another container and retaining an end of said severed another length of sliver, said retained end being a trailing end of said severed another length of sliver;

g. delivering said advancing sliver to a different one of said plurality of containers and simultaneously removing said severed another length of sliver from said another container by advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained end is a leading end thereof; and

h. repeating the steps of delivering a length of sliver to alternate ones of said plurality of containers, severing said sliver after a corresponding length has been delivered to a corresponding container and retaining a trailing end of said severed length of sliver, and removing the severed lengths of sliver alternately from said alternate ones of said contain ers by advancing said severed lengths in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained end is a leading end thereof while delivering a length of sliver to an alternate of said containers.

2. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of removing each said severed length of sliver from said one container comprises advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof at a rate equal to a rate at which said advancing sliver is delivered to said another container.

3. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of removing said severed length of sliver from said one container comprises advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so that an end of said length of sliver severed from said advancing sliver being delivered to said another container is a leading end of said length of said sliver.

4. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material comprising:

a. a feeder having a first and second operating position for receiving a sliver of fibrous material and advancing said sliver in a longitudinal direction thereof;

b. a first and second conveyor means cooperative with said feeder for receiving said advancing sliver from said feeder and advancing said sliver in a longitudinal direction thereof; said feeder and said first and second conveyor means comprising severing means for severing said sliver when said feeder is moved from one to the other of its said operating positions;

c. a first container and a second container disposed relative to said first and second conveyor means respectively for receiving said sliver advanced by said conveyor means;

d. sensing means for developing a signal when a length of said sliver is contained in either one of said containers;

control means comprising drive means for positioning said feeder to said first operating position for delivering said sliver to said first conveyor means and for driving said first conveyor means to advance said sliver to deliver it to said first container, means applying said sensing means signal to said control means for stopping the advance of said sliver by said first conveyor means to said first container, said drive means comprising means moving said feeder from said first to said second operating position thereby severing said sliver and providing said sliver advanced by said feeder to said second conveyor means for delivering said advancing sliver to said second container, and means in said drive means for driving said first conveyor means to advance said length of sliver in said first container in a direction to remove said length of sliver therefrom in response to said sensor means signal, said drive means moving said feeder from said second to said first operating position thereby severing said sliver and providing said sliver advanced by said feeder to said first conveyor means for delivering said advancing sliver to said first container and for driving said second conveyor means to advance 5. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a pair of endless belt conveyors having forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed coacting parallel surfaces for advancing a sliver therebetween.

6. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a frame and a pair ofplanar guide members mounted on said frame and having oppositely curved forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed parallel surfaces for guiding a direction of advanace of a sliver therebetween.

7. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a wedge-shaped body having a forward edge corresponding to an apex of said body and a pair of opposed surfaces diverging outwardly from said forward edge toward a base of said body and a bar disposed parallel to said forward edge and having a pair of pivotally mounted arms extending from opposite ends of said bar in a common direction for deflecting a sliver advancing toward said forward edge of said wedge-shaped body to advance along a selected one of said opposed outwardly diverging surfaces.

8. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said first and second conveyor means each comprise an upper and a lower endless belt conveyor having forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed coacting parallel surfaces for advancing a sliver therebetween, said forward sliver-receiving end of said lower endless belt conveyor being disposed closer to said feeder than said forward sliver-receiving end of said upper endless belt conveyor for receiving said advancing sliver and guiding it to said opposed coacting parallel surfaces.

9. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 8 wherein said drive means comprises means for stopping each of said conveyor means individually and alternately from advancing a sliver recevied from said feeder when said drive means changes an operating position of said feeder, said conveyor means comprising means for retaining said sliver when the last-mentioned conveyor means are stopped so said sliver is severed when an operating position of said feeder is changed and for retaining a severed end of said sliver, and said drive means comprises means for driving said last-mentioned conveyor means to advance said severed sliver retained therein in a longitudinal direction thereof so said severed end retained by said conveyor means is a leading end thereof.

10. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 comprising guide means receptive of said lengths of sliver removed from said containers for guiding a direction of advance thereof.

11. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 10 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of endless belt conveyors having a pair of opposed coacting surfaces defining a space therebetween having a Y-shaped section converging in a direction of advance of said sliver through said guide means.

12. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 11 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of plates disposed adjacent said endless belt conveyors comprising said guide means and normal to said opposed coacting surfaces.

13. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said sensing means for developing a signal when a given length of said sliver is contained in one of said containers comprises detecting means for detecting when all of said length of sliver is removed from another of said containers.

14. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 13 wherein said detecting means comprises a photoelectric sensor.

15. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a timer for developing a signal at selected intervals of time, said drive means comprising means for driving each of said conveyor means individually and alternately to advance a sliver received from said feeder until said timer signal is developed when said sensing means signal is received by said control means before said timer signal is developed, and said control means comprising means to stop said feeder from advancing said sliver when said timer signal is developed before said sensing means signal is received by said control means.

16. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said drive means comprises means for driving said feeder and said conveyor means in synchronism for advancing said sliver through said feeder and said conveyor means at the same rate. 

1. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material comprising: a. providing a sliver of fibrous material and a plurality of containers; b. advancing said sliver of fibrous material in a longitudinal direction thereof; c. delivering a length of said advancing sliver to one of said plurality of containers; d. severing said sliver after said length of sliver has been delivered to said one container and retaining an end of said severed length of sliver, said retained end being a trailing end of said severed length of sliver; e. delivering another length of said advancing sliver to another of said plurality of containers and simultaneously removing said severed length of sliver from said one container by advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained trailing end is a leading end thereof; f. severing said sliver after said another length of sliver has been delivered to said another container and retaining an end of said severed another length of sliver, said retained end being a trailing end of said severed another length of sliver; g. delivering said advancing sliver to a different one of said plurality of containers and simultaneously removing said severed another length of sliver from said another container by advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained end is a leading end thereof; and h. repeating the steps of delivering a length of sliver to alternate ones of said plurality of containers, severing said sliver after a corresponding length has been delivered to a corresponding container and retaining a trailing end of said severed length of sliver, and removing the severed lengths of sliver alternately from said alternate ones of said containers by advancing said severed lengths in a longitudinal direction thereof so said retained end is a leading end thereof while delivering a length of sliver to an alternate of said containers.
 2. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of removing each said severed length of sliver from said one container comprises advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof at a rate equal to a rate at which said advancing sliver is delivered to said another container.
 3. A method of preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of removing said severed length of sliver from said one container comprises advancing it in a longitudinal direction thereof so that an end of said length of sliver severed from said advancing sliver being delivered to said anothEr container is a leading end of said length of said sliver.
 4. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material comprising: a. a feeder having a first and second operating position for receiving a sliver of fibrous material and advancing said sliver in a longitudinal direction thereof; b. a first and second conveyor means cooperative with said feeder for receiving said advancing sliver from said feeder and advancing said sliver in a longitudinal direction thereof; said feeder and said first and second conveyor means comprising severing means for severing said sliver when said feeder is moved from one to the other of its said operating positions; c. a first container and a second container disposed relative to said first and second conveyor means respectively for receiving said sliver advanced by said conveyor means; d. sensing means for developing a signal when a length of said sliver is contained in either one of said containers; e. control means comprising drive means for positioning said feeder to said first operating position for delivering said sliver to said first conveyor means and for driving said first conveyor means to advance said sliver to deliver it to said first container, means applying said sensing means signal to said control means for stopping the advance of said sliver by said first conveyor means to said first container, said drive means comprising means moving said feeder from said first to said second operating position thereby severing said sliver and providing said sliver advanced by said feeder to said second conveyor means for delivering said advancing sliver to said second container, and means in said drive means for driving said first conveyor means to advance said length of sliver in said first container in a direction to remove said length of sliver therefrom in response to said sensor means signal, said drive means moving said feeder from said second to said first operating position thereby severing said sliver and providing said sliver advanced by said feeder to said first conveyor means for delivering said advancing sliver to said first container and for driving said second conveyor means to advance said length of sliver in said second container in a direction to remove said length of sliver therefrom in response to said sensor means signal indicating said length of sliver is delivered to said second container.
 5. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material, according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a pair of endless belt conveyors having forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed coacting parallel surfaces for advancing a sliver therebetween.
 6. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a frame and a pair of planar guide members mounted on said frame and having oppositely curved forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed parallel surfaces for guiding a direction of advanace of a sliver therebetween.
 7. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said feeder comprises, a wedge-shaped body having a forward edge corresponding to an apex of said body and a pair of opposed surfaces diverging outwardly from said forward edge toward a base of said body and a bar disposed parallel to said forward edge and having a pair of pivotally mounted arms extending from opposite ends of said bar in a common direction for deflecting a sliver advancing toward said forward edge of said wedge-shaped body to advance along a selected one of said opposed outwardly diverging surfaces.
 8. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said first and second conveyor means each comprise an upper and a lower endless belt conveyor having forward sliver-receiving ends and opposed coacting parallel surfaces for advancing a sliver therebetween, said forward sliver-receiving end of said lower endless belt conveyor beIng disposed closer to said feeder than said forward sliver-receiving end of said upper endless belt conveyor for receiving said advancing sliver and guiding it to said opposed coacting parallel surfaces.
 9. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 8 wherein said drive means comprises means for stopping each of said conveyor means individually and alternately from advancing a sliver recevied from said feeder when said drive means changes an operating position of said feeder, said conveyor means comprising means for retaining said sliver when the last-mentioned conveyor means are stopped so said sliver is severed when an operating position of said feeder is changed and for retaining a severed end of said sliver, and said drive means comprises means for driving said last-mentioned conveyor means to advance said severed sliver retained therein in a longitudinal direction thereof so said severed end retained by said conveyor means is a leading end thereof.
 10. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 comprising guide means receptive of said lengths of sliver removed from said containers for guiding a direction of advance thereof.
 11. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 10 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of endless belt conveyors having a pair of opposed coacting surfaces defining a space therebetween having a Y-shaped section converging in a direction of advance of said sliver through said guide means.
 12. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 11 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of plates disposed adjacent said endless belt conveyors comprising said guide means and normal to said opposed coacting surfaces.
 13. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said sensing means for developing a signal when a given length of said sliver is contained in one of said containers comprises detecting means for detecting when all of said length of sliver is removed from another of said containers.
 14. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 13 wherein said detecting means comprises a photoelectric sensor.
 15. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a timer for developing a signal at selected intervals of time, said drive means comprising means for driving each of said conveyor means individually and alternately to advance a sliver received from said feeder until said timer signal is developed when said sensing means signal is received by said control means before said timer signal is developed, and said control means comprising means to stop said feeder from advancing said sliver when said timer signal is developed before said sensing means signal is received by said control means.
 16. An apparatus for preparing lengths of sliver of fibrous material according to claim 4 wherein said drive means comprises means for driving said feeder and said conveyor means in synchronism for advancing said sliver through said feeder and said conveyor means at the same rate. 